FOCAL POINT
Downtown Dreaming A new arena in Edmonton has transformed an old railyard and empty parking lots into a world-class sports and entertainment venue. Managing construction of this once-in-a-lifetime project is a career highlight for PCL’s Mike Widdifield, P.Eng.
will use in the future — that makes this just so special to me. I think it will be tough to top what this project has meant for me both personally and professionally.” The same is likely true for the many other APEGA professionals and engineering consulting firms involved in the design and construction of Rogers Place. Besides PCL, other
Pile by pile. Beam by beam. Steel panel by steel panel. Over the past 30 months, Edmontonians watched with anticipation — and even awe — as a shiny new downtown arena rose skyward from a giant hole in the ground. From a construction trailer near the worksite, Mike Widdifield, P.Eng., had a front-row seat for all the action. In fact,
APEGA Permit Holders involved in the development include Stantec, Hemisphere Engineering, DIALOG, AMEC, CDML, and Bunt and Associates Engineering.
you might even say he helped orchestrate it. Mr. Widdifield, with PCL, managed construction of the $483.5-plus million arena, its associated community rink, Ford Hall, LRT connection, and pedestrian pedway. Edmonton- based PCL was the construction manager on the entire project, which is valued at $613.7 million, inlcuding land. “It’s been very hard for me not to walk around from time to time with the eye of a fan who will be a user of the space,” Mr. Widdifield said, a few days before the arena’s September 8 grand opening. As a civil engineer, a city resident and a devoted Oilers fan,
‘I think it will be tough to top what this project has meant for me both
A WORLD-CLASS ACCOMPLISHMENT
Touted as the most advanced sports and entertainment venue in North America, Rogers Place is part of an ambitious plan to revitalize Edmon- ton’s downtown core. The facility is the heart of ICE District, a 25-acre, multi-billion-dollar development that also includes office towers, a hotel, condos, a public plaza, a casino, and stores — all in one area. Long before arena construction began in March 2014, the debate went on for years over the need for a new arena and how it would be
personally and professionally.’
MIKE WIDDIFIELD, P.ENG. PCL Construction Manager
the opportunity to manage this once-in-a-lifetime project was kind of a big deal for him, and for his company, too. Throughout construction, each milestone reached was a victory to be celebrated. The first and last steel erected. The first suspended slabs for the parkade. The pouring of the ice slab. The assembly of the colossal scoreboard. And on and on. Constructing a facility like Rogers Place is rare in North America — which makes it special. Constructing such a facility in Edmonton is even rarer — which makes it even more special. “This is what a lot of people refer to as a career or legacy project,” says Mr. Widdifield. “With it being in my hometown, for my favourite NHL team, something that all my family and friends
paid for. A public-private partnership deal was eventually negoti- ated between the City of Edmonton and Oilers owner Daryl Katz. Intense public interest increased as the arena began to take shape. “The importance of this project for the city and the region was not lost on me,” says Mr. Widdifield. “There was a significant amount of pressure, but that added to the excitement and the fulfilment of the project. It truly is a world-class facility that many people in the region will benefit from for many, many years. I’m very proud to have been a part of it.” Mr. Widdifield has worked for PCL for 12 years, since graduating with a civil engineering degree from the University of
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